Technical analyst Jack Chan looks back on the precious metals and energy markets in 2016, as well as forward into 2017.

As always, I provide no predictions or forecasts for the future. As a successful long-term investor, I remain faithful to Warren Buffett’s life-long commitment in investing by observing his two rules.

Rule #1 – do not lose moneyRule #2 – do not forget rule #1.

Looking back on 2016

Our long-term investment model has switched back to favoring equities after placing us on the defensive in 2015. A false alarm in hindsight.

The growth sector as represented by $SPX also switched back to a major buy signal in late 2016.

The oil and energy sector as represented by $OSX had a major buy signal in early 2016, ending the major sell signal from 2014. The multimonth consolidation after the new major buy signal provided us with excellent entries, with a 40% allocation for the long term.

The gold sector as represented by $HUI had a major buy signal early in 2016, but it was a price spike and no entries could be made. No consolidation with no trendline support has been established so far to set up for a long-term allocation.

The copper sector also had a major buy signal in 2016. TECK went straight up, while FCX consolidated. We entered near the bottom of the consolidation range, with a 10% allocation for the long term.

Summary
All three sectors are on major buy signals at the end of 2016. The best opportunities were in the energy sector, where we took a 40% allocation intended to be held for the long term. These positions are up on average of 14.8% as of 12/31/16. We also took a 10% long-term position in FCX, a giant in the copper sector. FCX is up 23% as of 12/31. It was another profitable year.

Looking forward to 2017

Our long-term stocks/bond model switched back to favoring equities in 2016, therefore, I am looking for new opportunities to be fully invested in 2017.

The growth sector is in a super bull market with no overhead resistance. The major breakout in 2013 after a 12-year consolidation rendered this a young bull and should have plenty of upside in coming years. Any sharp correction with a spike in VIX will be buying opportunities in 2017.

USD remains on a major buy signal since 2011. As long as the dollar remains in a bull market, precious metals will be under pressure overall, although we may see some sharp bounces periodically.

$HUI is on a major buy signal, and we need to see a multimonth consolidation, with trendline support established, before considering any long-term allocations.

Crude oil bottomed in 2016 and a new bull market is in progress.

$OSX is on major buy signal with established trendline support. We look for new buying opportunities in 2017 at cycle bottoms.

Summary
All three sectors are on major buy signals.

• The growth sector has no overhead resistance. Any sharp correction with a spike in VIX in 2017 will be buying opportunities, ideally confirmed with a cycle bottom
• The energy sector has trendline support and plenty of potential upside; I am looking for new buying opportunities at cycle bottoms in 2017
• The gold sector needs to establish trendline support on the monthly chart, ideally after a multimonth consolidation. If so, I may consider some long-term positions at a cycle bottom
• Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (FCX:NYSE) is an individual stock and I am content with a 10% long-term holding. However, should we see a correction to the 50/200ema in 2017, I may consider adding to positions if there is investable capital
• I will also consider some short-term trading upon set-ups and if risks are manageable
• I am looking for new opportunities in 2017 to put the remaining capital to work to become fully invested.

Thank you for your continuous support and looking forward to another profitable year together.

Jack Chan is the editor of simply profits at www.simplyprofits.org, established in 2006. Chan bought his first mining stock, Hoko Exploration, in 1979, and has been active in the markets for the past 37 years. Technical analysis has helped him filter out the noise and focus on the when, and leave the why to the fundamental analysts. His proprietary trading models have enabled him to identify the NASDAQ top in 2000, the new gold bull market in 2001, the stock market top in 2007, and the U.S. dollar bottom in 2011.

Want to read more Gold Report articles like this? Sign up for our free e-newsletter, and you'll learn when new articles have been published. To see a list of recent articles and interviews with industry analysts and commentators, visit our Streetwise Interviews page.

Disclosure:1) Jack Chan: I, or members of my immediate household or family, own puts on the following companies mentioned in this article: Freeport-McMoRan Inc. I personally am, or members of my immediate household or family are, paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. My company has a financial relationship with the following companies mentioned in this article: None. I determined which companies would be included in this article based on my research and understanding of the sector.
2) The following companies mentioned in this article are sponsors of Streetwise Reports: None. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for its services. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Streetwise Reports for this article. Streetwise Reports was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this article.
4) Jack Chan: We do not offer predictions or forecasts for the markets. What you see here is our simple trading model, which provides us the signals and set-ups to be either long, short, or in cash at any given time. Entry points and stops are provided in real time to subscribers, therefore, this update may not reflect our current positions in the markets. Trade at your own discretion. We also provide coverage to the major indexes and oil sector.
5) This article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.
6) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise during the up-to-four-week interval from the time of the interview until after it publishes.